CINCINNATI — Good eats come to those who wait.
A new European-style bakery that specializes in French pastries is scheduled to open Downtown today. Mon Petit Choux, which translates to "little cream puff," will serve its first customers today at 24 W. Court St.
The business will serve desserts and pastries that are almost "too pretty to eat," said owner Angela Grillo, including éclairs, macarons, fruit tartlets, cream puffs, French short bread cookies, turnovers, danishes and mini cakes.
It has been more than two years since Grillo first announced the bakery's plans. There have been construction delays. But largely, Grillo has bootstrapped the project while running her other business, Maribelle Cakery, in Cheviot.
COVID-19 has caused a slowdown in wedding-related orders at that shop, so the timing was right to open Mon Petit Choux, she said, even if there's some uncertainty about how business might go.
"I think what we offer is different than what other bakeries have," Grillo said. "It is not your average product. It's all about really beautiful desserts. And I honestly think people will fall in love with it, once the word gets out and people start tasting it.
"It's all worked out to our benefit to be opening right now, because everything's a little bit slower altogether," she added. "It's going to be easier for us to handle and put our feet in and say, 'OK, is this going to work?' I'm only thinking positive thoughts. It's a good time to bring joy and happiness."
In addition to desserts, Mon Petit Choux will serve a limited selection of cold coffee drinks. For now, all pastries will be made at Maribelle Cakery, but eventually production will move Downtown. Grillo said she plans to add food items like breakfast and lunch – as well as hot coffee – to the menu at a later date.
Hours are also still a little bit in flux. The bakery tentatively will be open from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. She plans to adjust that based on customer demand. The bakery will be open for walk-ins, and customers also can place orders ahead either online or by phone.
Grillo said she hopes her Court Street spot will become a sweet-treat destination. Having a store Downtown carries a certain level of legitimacy, she said. She's looking forward to being a part of that community.
"I think it's important to be Downtown. There are a lot of benefits to that. You get a lot of support," she said. "This is so close to Hyde Park and Mount Adams. I think we'll even draw people from Kentucky. There's nothing like it around."
@_LizEngel
